Steering gear lock for motor vehicles



Dec. 28, 1937. A, JACKSON 2,103,674

STEERING GEAR LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed June 16, 1936 JJ/cWSow 23 Patented Dec. 28, 1937 7 PATENT OFFICE STEERING GEAR LOOK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES 'Andrew Jackson, Memphis, Tenn. Application June 16,1936, Serial No. 85,579

1 Claim.

Thisinvention relates to looks for the steering mechanism of motor cycles, automobiles, and the like, and the object is to provide a lock of this type which will be simple of construction so that 5 it may be manufactured at a less cost but which will, at the same time, be durable and easily manipulated.

Primarily, the invention includes a locking lever' tobe attached to a movable part of the steering mechanism, and means for securely holding said lever against lateralmovement, which said means is adapted for attachment to a stationary part of the vehicle.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of the frame and steering mechanism of a motor cycle showing the invention applied thereto, in operative position,

Figure '2 is a plan view of that portion of the invention to be applied to the movable part of 20 the steering mechanism,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of two like elements forming that portion adapted to be connected to a stationary part of the vehicle,

Figure 4 is a view of a portion of the steering mechanism of an automobile showing the invention applied thereto, in inoperative position, and I Figure 5 is a detail illustrating a modification. Referring to the drawing, and particularly to Figure '1 thereof, the invention includes a lever I clamp I I by means of which it is attached to the steering column I2 of a motor cycle, the lever having a series of vertical perforations I3 therethrough, preferably two in number. These perfo- 35 rations, when the lever I0 is in lowered position,

' receive upstanding lugs I4,eaeh of which is carried by a clamp I engaged around and rigidly secured to the top bar I6 of the frame vehicle. :It will be noted that when the parts are in the 40 is locked'against movement. a

I As shown in FigureZ, the clamp II, by means of which-lever) is attachedincludes two cor-V respondingly formed arcuate jaws I'I'the extremities of which are offset to form earsrlfl and I9,

the latter being somewhat longer than the formen.

Bolts 20, having nuts a threaded thereon pass through the ears I8 and I 9 for clamping thelaws' I! to the steering column I2.

One end of the lever III is positioned between the outer ends of the ears I9, and passing through these ends, also through the adjacent end of the lever, isa pivot bolt 2| having a nut Zia r5 for holding the same in place. 1 The end of the lever I Ilis spaced from the ears I9, and at op-' posites'ides of said lever end are coil springs 22 pivotally connected, forivertical movement, to a position just described, the steering column I2 a (or. 2so 272) at one end, against the inner face of an ear I9, and at the other end against one of a pair of washers 23 which are mounted on the bolt 2| and rest against the adjacent end of the lever I0. Because of the springs 22 the washers 23 exert suflicient friction against the lever to cause it to remain in raised position when the device is out ofuse. One of the jaws I! has a set screw 24 threaded therethrough for engagement with the steering column I2 to prevent rotation of the clamp.

'As shown in Figure 3, each of the clamps I5, of which there are preferably two, includes two arcuate jaw members 25 and 26, which are hinged together at one end and which have their free ends offset to form ears 27 through which is a bolt' 28for clamping the jaws to the bar I6. The hinged end of the jaw 25 is bifurcated and that portion between the furcations is struck up to form the lug I4, which is received within one site sides and the resultant finger 29 is positioned between the furcations, a pivot pin 3Ilbeing then passed through the finger and furcations, to form theuhinge joint. A set screw 3I is threaded through the jaw 25 to prevent rotation of the parts on the bar I6, as will b'e readily understood. If desired, one of the lugs I4 may be perfos rated as shown at '32 in Figure 5, so that a padlock may be secured thereto, to prevent raising the lever II], when the vehicle is to be left unattended. 7

When the device is used in connection with the steering gear of an automobile, the clamp II is secured to the hub of the steering Wheel, immediately below'said wheel, and; the clamps I5 are engaged around the stationary steering column,asshownin Figure 4. e 7 'What is claimed is: A steering gear lock for motor vehicles com prising a member adapted for attachment to a stationary part of the vehicle and a member adapted for attachment to a movable part of the steering gear, said latter member comprising aws adapted to surround said movable part,

spaced ears on said jaws, a perforated lever havinganend positioned between said ears, a pivotv opposite sides of said lever, springs surrounding said pivot between said ears and said washers for urging the latter against the lever, and a clamping bolt passing through saidears between said lever and said jaws. 7 each of which surrounds the bolt 2| and bears, f V r ANDREW JACKSON. 

